Tuesday, August 26, 2008

"Right-wing groups are once again attacking our community. This time they’re flooding the governor’s office with calls and emails, asking him to veto legislation that would honor late civil rights pioneer Harvey Milk, who was one of the first openly gay elected officials in our nation and a beacon of hope for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

AB 2567, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California, creates a day of special significance commemorating Milk’s birthday. It would add Harvey Milk Day to a list of other special days designated to commemorate those individuals and communities that have helped to further California’s legacy as a land of promise and opportunity. Milk, a San Francisco supervisor, was assassinated in 1978, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. Both were murdered by a former city supervisor who was motivated by his fear and hatred of the forces of change and progress at San Francisco City Hall. While in office, Milk championed the first city ordinance protecting LGBT people from discrimination. He also led the fight against a discriminatory ballot initiative that would have banned all gays and lesbians from teaching in California schools. Let the governor know that Californians value the contributions of Harvey Milk, who gave his life for the causes of freedom and equality. Email him today and urge him to sign AB 2567."